This 300-acre camp in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains offers a year-round roster of 860 two-, five-, and six-day sessions in traditional skills such as basketry, calligraphy, and batik dyeing (pictured). Lodging options range from rustic dorm rooms that sleep six to plush doubles with private baths. All the family-style meals feature organic produce grown on-site. (Starting at $444 for a two-day class, food and room included; folkschool.org)

Squam Art Workshops

Holderness, New Hampshire

At this three-day sleepaway camp, you can stay in private lakeside cabins (On Golden Pond was filmed nearby) and choose from a variety of classes devoted to knitting, jewelry-making, songwriting, and more. "Our programs give women an excuse to hang out with people who enjoy the same things they do," says owner Elizabeth MacCrellish. ($890, lodging and meals included; squamartworkshops.com)

Housed in an active monastery with views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, these workshops last from three days to a week and specialize in such subjects as Adobe Photoshop, digital photography, and black-and-white developing, among others. While the school provides towels and linens, the private on-site housing is bare-bones: no air-conditioning, TVs, or phones. (Starting at $295, room and board extra; santafeworkshops.com)

Country Threads Quilt Camp

Garner, Iowa

Held at least three times a year in the hayloft of a 19th-century barn, these four-day quilting classes are taught by master patternmakers Connie Tesene and Mary Etherington. There's no lodging, but nearby Clear Lake offers affordable options. ($175 for the September 8--11 class, includes patterns and two lunches; countrythreads.com)

The Steel Yard

Providence, Rhode Island

Learn the basics of ceramics, stone setting, or blacksmithing in just one weekend at the Steel Yard, the former site of Providence Steel & Iron. End your days with dinner at one of the many family-run Italian restaurants on Federal Hill, then bunk at the nearby Christopher Dodge House. ($115 includes materials and tools, but no meals or accommodations; thesteelyard.org; providence-hotel.com)

Alabama Chanin Weekend Workshops

Florence, Alabama

At these small gatherings held in designer Natalie Chanin's Alabama studio, students choose from 45 fabrics and 200-plus patterns and stencils, then re-create a favorite piece from Chanin's high-end clothing line. Accommodations aren't provided, so book a room at the Coldwater Inn in nearby Tuscumbia. (Beginners welcome;$1,125 includes materials and two meals; alabamachanin.com; coldwater-inn.com)

Sonoma County Grape Camp

Sonoma, California

Whistle-toting counselors are on hand to keep would-be vintners on schedule as they pick, sort, and crush grapes at this three-day camp for oenophiles. "When guests leave," says director Larry Levine, "they have a real appreciation of what it takes to produce fine wine." That, and a hand-blended bottle of vino to carry home. ($1,900 for classes, luxury lodging, and all meals, including dinners hosted in the vineyards by well-known vintners; sonomagrapecamp.com)

Try your luck at two-week sessions in wood carving, glassblowing, or chair upholstering at this year-round craft school in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Students stay in single or shared dorm rooms, enjoy meals made from scratch, and have access to the workshop facilities 24 hours a day. "What you can learn here in a week will astonish you," says communications manager Robin Dreyer. ($445 to $640 per week, depending on classes, room and meals extra; penland.org)

Taos School of Metalsmithing and Lapidary Design

Taos, New Mexico

Design a silver ring, learn how to solder metals, or practice cutting gemstones at these five-day workshops, during which participants make a one-of-a-kind jewelry creation. Held downtown in a historic adobe house, classes include just four students per session to ensure ample individual instruction. Nearby inns offer attendees discounted stays. ($700, all materials included; taosjewelryschool.com)